The Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science is hiring two student research assistants in Germany, offering students an opportunity to gain hands-on academic research and data analysis experience while earning up to €15.61 per hour.
The positions are based in Göttingen and are being offered within the Institute’s Department of Inequality, Transformation, and Conflict.
The successful candidates will contribute to research activities and data analysis while gaining valuable insight into the day-to-day practice of academic research.
The positions are expected to begin on 1 December 2026 and will run until 30 November 2028.
Two Student Research Assistant Positions Available
The Max Planck Institute is recruiting two student research assistants (m/f/d) for its Department of Inequality, Transformation, and Conflict.
The roles are designed for students interested in academic research, particularly those studying subjects connected to the social sciences and quantitative research.
Successful applicants will support research tasks and data analysis, providing an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a professional research environment.
For students considering careers in academia, research, policy analysis or data-driven social science, the positions could provide valuable practical experience.
Who Can Apply?
The Institute is looking for students studying:
- Sociology
- Political science
- Economics
- Related subjects
Applicants should have a very good knowledge of quantitative methods and be confident using statistical software.
In particular, candidates should have experience with Stata or R.
Strong language skills are also required. Applicants should have a very good command of both English and German.
Knowledge of qualitative research methods is considered an advantage, although it is not listed as a minimum requirement.
What Will Student Research Assistants Do?
The positions involve supporting research activities and carrying out data analysis within the Department of Inequality, Transformation, and Conflict.
Working in a leading academic research environment can provide students with exposure to how research projects are designed, implemented and analysed.
The roles offer an opportunity to gain insight into the practical side of academic research while developing skills that can be useful for future study and employment.
Students with quantitative research interests may particularly benefit from the opportunity to work with statistical tools such as Stata or R.
The experience may also help candidates strengthen their understanding of research workflows and contribute to projects dealing with inequality, transformation and conflict.
Working Hours and Salary
The student research assistant positions involve approximately 30 to 40 hours per month.
The hourly pay is:
- €15.00 per hour for eligible student research assistants.
- €15.61 per hour for candidates with a bachelor’s degree.
The positions are fixed-term and will run from the expected start date of 1 December 2026 until 30 November 2028.
This provides successful candidates with the possibility of gaining research experience over an extended period while continuing their studies.
Why This Opportunity Could Be Valuable
Student research assistant positions can provide an important bridge between university studies and professional research.
Rather than gaining experience only through coursework, successful candidates will have the opportunity to participate in research tasks and data analysis within an academic institution.
The role could therefore be particularly relevant to students considering postgraduate study or careers involving research, quantitative analysis, academia, public policy or social sciences.
Experience with R or Stata, combined with practical research exposure, can also strengthen a student’s technical profile.
The opportunity to work within a department focused on inequality, transformation and conflict may be particularly attractive to students interested in major social and political challenges.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Institute’s online application portal.
The original announcement indicates that the application link is available through the recruitment announcement, including via the link in the comments or the QR code provided by the Institute.
Applicants should ensure that they review the official requirements carefully and submit their application through the designated online system.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 1 November 2026.
Interviews are scheduled to take place on 11 and 12 November 2026.
The positions are expected to start on 1 December 2026 and will remain in place until 30 November 2028.
Interested students should therefore prepare their applications early to ensure they can meet the deadline and satisfy the Institute’s requirements.
Position Summary
- Employer: Max Planck Institute for Political and Social Science
- Department: Inequality, Transformation, and Conflict
- Positions: 2 Student Research Assistants
- Location: Göttingen, Germany
- Start date: 1 December 2026
- Hours: Approximately 30–40 hours per month
- Pay: €15.00/hour or €15.61/hour with a bachelor’s degree
- Contract: Fixed-term until 30 November 2028
- Eligible fields: Sociology, political science, economics and related subjects
- Key skills: Quantitative methods, Stata or R
- Languages: English and German
- Application deadline: 1 November 2026
- Interview dates: 11–12 November 2026
An Opportunity for Students Interested in Research
For students in sociology, political science, economics and related disciplines, these positions offer an opportunity to gain practical research experience while earning an hourly salary.
Candidates with strong quantitative skills and experience using R or Stata may find the roles particularly relevant.
The positions also provide an opportunity to work within a research department and gain exposure to academic research practices that can support future postgraduate or research careers.
